Advice for homeowners and motorists in cold snap

A number of agencies and authorities have issued warnings to homeowners and motorists ahead of a cold snap forecast by Met Éireann aimed at protecting homes from burst pipes and keeping road users safe.

Irish Water and local authorities are asking homes and businesses to check for leaks and to conserve water where possible while adhering to public health advice on hand washing and hygiene regarding Covid-19.

They say this is important to protect the water supply in advance of expected freezing temperatures and snow expected in the coming days. In January, following freezing temperatures and the subsequent thaw, the public water network experienced a higher than normal volume of bursts. Irish Water in partnership with local authorities carried out hundreds of leak and burst repairs arising from the cold snap.

Speaking about the forecasted freezing weather, Tom Cuddy, Head of Operations, Irish Water, said: “As we face another spell of sub-zero temperatures over the weekend and into next week we are appealing to homes, businesses and those responsible for unoccupied buildings to check for leaks whilst adhering to current public health regulations and advice, and to turn off water where it’s not needed.

"We are also appealing to customers to check outside pipes in particular that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and report leaks they see on the public network to us. Small efforts by everyone to conserve water wherever possible make a big difference overall and we would ask the public to only use what they need whilst continuing to adhere to public health advice on hand washing and hygiene regarding COVID-19. Simple advice on conservation includes for example taking showers over baths and fixing dripping taps where it is possible to do so."

People with responsibility for unoccupied properties are are being asked to check for leaks and turn off water where it is not required.

There are more tips on how to conserve water in your home, business or school on our website at https://www.water.ie/conservation/.

Should the freezing weather arrive there is also some simple steps to follow if your pipes freeze or burst.

What to do if you have a frozen pipe:

If you have a basic knowledge of plumbing, these tips will help you locate and thaw a frozen pipe. If you are unsure of what to do, call a registered plumber.

Turn off the water supply, this will limit the amount of leakage or damage if a pipe bursts:

- Find and turn off your inside stop valve

- Turn off the stopcock in your cold water tank, usually located in the attic

- Locate the pipe

- Check the water pressure in appliances such as taps and toilets to see if it is lower than usual

- Locate the general area where you think there may be a frozen pipe

- Check for visible pipes that are not insulated, pipes that feel much colder than others, have nearby draughts or damage

- Turn on nearby cold taps to relieve pressure on the frozen pipe. NEVER turn on the hot taps

- Thaw the pipe

- If the pipe and fittings are not cracked or broken, you can try gently thawing the pipe

- Protect or move anything which might be damaged if the pipe bursts when thawed

- Use a hairdryer on the lowest setting to gently warm the pipe, starting at the end nearest the tap

- NEVER attempt to thaw out frozen pipes by switching on your immersion, central heating, blow torch etc.

What to do if you have a burst pipe:

A burst pipe can cause serious damage to your home so it is important to take action as soon as possible.

- Limit the damage

- Turn off the water supply as instructed above

- Drain the system by turning on all the cold water taps and flushing the toilets

- Switch off the central heating and immersion. If you use solid fuel, let it die out

- When the water heating is completely off, turn on the hot taps to further drain the system

- If water from a burst pipe is leaking near any sockets, switches or appliances, switch off the mains if it is safe to do so. If the switch is wet, do not touch it, instead call a qualified electrician

- If you have a shared water supply e.g. if you live in an apartment complex, ensure you have access to the stop cock. This is usually located where the water supply enters the building

- Check with your neighbours that turning off the water has not affected their supply

- Get it repaired

- You can make a temporary repair to a burst pipe by binding it tightly with a cloth or tape.

- Replace this as soon as possible by a permanent repair, carried out by a qualified and registered plumber.

- Ensure your hot water system is refilled BEFORE you switch back on your immersion or boiler.

Irish Water continues to work at this time with its local authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services.

To report a leak please contact Irish Water on 1850 278 278.

Take care on the roads

Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users to prepare for cold weather conditions.

Road users are being advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on any essential journeys. The RSA has the following practical advice for road users to cope with the ice and snow conditions:

Drivers are advised to:

· Clear windows and mirrors before you set out, use a screen scraper and de-icer. Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass.

· Remove all snow from your vehicle before commencing your journey. Snow left on the roof will become loose and can drop onto the windscreen during braking, thereby causing sudden and severe restriction to your vision. It can also fall off during your drive and cause injury to pedestrians or a reflex action by another driver.

· In snow and icy conditions slow down, use all controls delicately and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. Avoid over steering and harsh braking and harsh acceleration. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Select a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through bends.

· In snow or sleet conditions, visibility will be reduced. Do not drive on the tail-lights of the vehicle in front (Target Fixing). This can give a false sense of security and you will be too close to be able to brake safely. In heavy snow, use your fog lights, turn off your radio and open your window a fraction, so you can hear other traffic, especially at junctions.

· Use dipped headlights at all times in heavy snow to ensure you are seen by other motorists (but don’t forget to turn them off afterwards).

· Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and allow extra space when overtaking them.

· Drivers of high sided vehicles like trucks and buses are particularly at risk from both the dangers posed by ice and snow but also from the high winds associated with strong winds.

Pedestrians are advised in snow and Icy conditions to:

Wear high visibility clothing or carry a torch as visibility is reduced in snowy conditions. Wear clothing that does not restrict your vision.

· Wear appropriate footwear. Walk on the footpath, not in the street. Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.

· DO NOT underestimate the danger of ice. Many slips and falls happen in places people regard as safe and secure, typically outside their front door, on the door step, on the path or while getting out of the car. When you approach a footpath or roadway that appears to be covered with snow or ice, always use extreme caution.

For a copy of the RSA’s ‘Top 10 tips to avoid a fall or slip in snow or icy conditions’ click here.

Cyclists and Motorcyclists are advised:

· Motorcyclists / Cyclists should not compromise their safety by their ‘need’ to travel in icy/snow conditions.

· Visibility is reduced in snowy conditions so cyclists should wear a Sam Browne Bandoleer belt or high visibility vest and ensure the lights on your bike are working correctly.

· Motorcyclists should avoid wearing a dark visor in any bad light conditions.

· Remember other road users may not ‘expect’ you and could therefore comprise your safety